A highlight of winter for gardeners is the Queensland Garden Show (formerly the Queensland Garden Expo), which is run by the state nursery industry association and held north of Brisbane at Nambour on the Sunshine Coast.
This year’s show, on from July 10-12, is being organised by an events company following a restructuring of the industry-owned event. The show, which has been running for more than 40 years, usually attracts around 40,000 visitors, which is capacity for the site. To see this year’s layout, download the show map.
“Plans for the Queensland Garden Show are progressing well,” reports Greenlife Industry Queensland’s Colin Fruk, who is busy with preparations. “We have made some important changes to ensure the event remains sustainable for the long term, while keeping the heart of the show firmly intact.
“It remains a much-loved, industry-led event and we are working hard to make sure it continues to showcase the very best of Queensland gardening.”
Strong gardener focus
“The 2026 event will have a stronger garden focus, more engaging features for families and the broader gardening public, and plenty of opportunities for growers, exhibitors, speakers, clubs and the wider horticultural community to connect with Queensland’s passionate gardeners.”
While the show is popular for the huge range of plant stalls that gather in the Nambour Showground, it is also a hit due to its speaker’s program, which features speakers from across Australia, particularly voices and faces well-known through TV gardening shows, radio and magazines – most members of HMAA.
“We are also pleased with the calibre of the speaker program this year,” says Colin. “So far, the lineup includes some of Australia’s most-loved horticultural voices, including Graham Ross, Tammy Huynh, Arno King, Phil Dudman, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams, Robert ‘The Mountain Man’ Wilson and Matt Golinski. Among the 13 HMAA members, there are also some first-time speakers. View the full speaker’s program here.
“It is a strong mix of big names, practical gardening expertise and fresh ideas, from subtropical gardening and indoor plants through to organic food growing, sustainability, native flora and live cooking demonstrations in the Giant Kitchen Garden.
“We want visitors to leave not just inspired, but with that wonderful feeling of ‘I can actually do that in my own garden’.”
Other HMAA involvement
HMAA organises and presents the very popular Plant Clinic at the show with a roster of HMAA members. This year’s Clinic is organised by Kate Wall and Annette Irish, who are also behind a new stand for HMAA at this year’s show – the Book Nook.
Kate and Annette have gathered several hundred garden, horticulture and landscape books donated by HMAA colleagues and friends, which will be sold at very good prices so leave room in your luggage if you are visiting the show. As an extra incentive, Annette has also arranged some special book bags for big spenders at the stand.
Previous HMAA President, Matt Carrol, is the MC for the main stage and roving ambassador. Kate Wall will also MC on the main stage.
